The best cottages to rent on country estates

Yes, you TOO can swan around Downton Abbey, pretending
to be Lady Rose… well, the grounds of the set, anyway - Highclere
Castle. This little cottage has been beautifully restored by the
clever Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, who know that Downton
mega-fans would leap at the chance to wander through
the parkland and down by the lake, re-enacting those romantic
scenes between Lady Mary and Matthew (ignoring the car-crash
ending, obvs). Although don't expect any staff to be waiting on you
hand and foot - it's self-catering.

In the grounds of Weston Park lies the Temple of Diana, a
gorgeous residence that can't really be called a cottage (it's
huge). It's newly restored for guests and the centrepiece is
the beautiful Orangery, with its mega-high ceilings
and huge windows. Did we mention the bedrooms are circular?
Oh, and there's a games room in the basement.

Fancy a cosy Cotswold cottage with oodles of history? Sudeley
Castle was once home to Henry VIII's last and luckiest wife,
Katherine Parr, and has 12 cottages dotted around its vast grounds.
History buffs can show off talking about the historical
figures that the cottages are named after - anyone remember Prince
Rupert or Lady Jane Grey? The cottages are all of varying
shapes and sizes; you can choose between staying in a converted
paper mill and an old engine room. And some allow dogs to
stay too. Hurrah!

The aptly named Water Meadow Cottage looks out over the River
Evenlode to the edge of the splendid Blenheim Palace estate -
although it must be said that the cottage itself is a sight to be
beheld. Beautifully furnished and sleekly designed,
it's secluded but certainly not too rustic, with its perfect
wi-fi and pumping sound system. Other touches, such as the dreamy
summerhouse and the fridge stuffed with butter, fresh farm eggs and
juices means it might be tough to tear yourself away from the house
to go and explore Blenheim.

'It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot,' said Queen
Victoria after her first visit to Osborne House. No wonder she
promptly snapped up the property and turned it into her very own
seaside palace. Now guests can stay in two newly renovated
gatehouses - still the official entrance for the
Royal Family (so here's hoping Prince Harry pops by for a
visit…). Dishy princes aside, the highlight is the private beach,
which you will have all to yourself after the visiting public have
left for the day.